Inside the Pro’s Bikes – Finn Iles

On Feb 16, 2017

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MEET THE RIDERS AND THEIR RIDES

Finn Iles and His Specialized 8

King of the whip: Finn won the Whip-Off World Championships at Crankworx for the second time this past summer. He first won it in 2104, one day before his 15th birthday. This past summer, 2 years and four days later, he won it shortly after his 17th birthday.

Let Finn In” was the phrase that went viral in Canada in the summer of 2014. As one of the most talented mountain bikers in Whistler, Finn Iles, at 14 years old, had just won the British Columbian Downhill Championship; however, he was probably even more famous for his jumping skills, especially his whips. For anyone who doesn’t know, a whip, aka a moto whip, is when a rider pitches his bike sideways into the air off a jump. The object is to get the bike completely sideways, maybe even backwards, before straightening it back out and landing safely. The best riders make big whips look easy, but they’re among the most challenging moves in mountain biking.

In any event, the Whip-Off World Championship was coming up that summer, in 2014, and Finn wanted to compete in the event. Unfortunately, riders had to be 18 years old to enter, and Finn was only 14.

To make a long story short, some fans started a social media campaign with the hashtag #LetFinnIn. The ensuing publicity earned Finn so much attention that the promoters gave in and let Finn enter the event. (As a rule, anything that brings publicity to an event is good; nothing is worse for an event than being ignored.)

Crankworx fans crowd the course as Finn, top left, sends a huge whip over their heads on Crab Apple Hits, the site for the Whip- Off World Championships.

Finn was not only allowed into the Whip-Off World Championships in Whistler that year, he won the whole event. The next year Finn couldn’t compete in the event due to an injury, so the organizers asked Finn to be one of the judges (another smart move on their part).

This past summer Finn came back to the event to compete again, and he won it a second time. Of course, being able to do big whips on a mountain bike is great, but it may not be enough to secure a career in the sport. Fortunately, Finn can do more than throw some of the best whips on the planet. He’s also proving to be one of the fastest downhill racers in the world. After winning the Whip-Off World Championships this past summer, Finn flew to Europe and won the Junior Men’s Downhill titles in both the World Cup series and the UCI World Championships. To win either of those titles is a major accomplishment. Winning both of them in the same year is incredible. For all we know, in another couple of years Finn could be challenging Danny Hart, Greg Minnaar, Loic Bruni and Aaron Gwin for the top spot on the podium in the men’s downhill ranks. It seems like a safe bet that we’ll be seeing Finn Iles for a long time to come.

Laying it over: Finn leans into a turn in his downhill race at Whistler Crankworx. Finn took Junior Men’s Downhill titles in both the World Championships and the World Cup series in 2016.

The MBA Q&A

Finn spills the beans on his background

MBA: Where did you grow up?

Finn: “Banff, Alberta, Canada.”

MBA: When did you first start riding a bicycle?:

Finn: “Three years old.”

MBA: When did you first start competing in events on a bike, and what kind of bike was it?

Finn: “When I was 13. Kona Operator Freeride.”

MBA: Did you win any titles or major events on anything besides mountain bikes?

Finn: “Yes, in ski racing. I don’t ski race anymore. It would be impossible to train and race for two sports at an elite level and be successful. The cost of ski racing at an elite level is also way too expensive. Downhill bike racing offers way more support and sponsorship, so the switch to DH made a lot more sense to me and my parents.”

MBA: When and where did you start competing on a mountain bike?

Finn: “Whistler in 2012.”

MBA: What have been your best national and international results?

Finn: “World junior champion and World Cup overall winner in 2016.”

INSIDE THE PROS’ BIKES

Finn’s Specialized S-Works Demo 8

Versatile guy: In addition to his mountain bike titles, Finn racked up multiple wins at international ski competitions. His dad works with the ski patrol, teaches avalanche courses and builds trails for Whistler Bike Park. Finn’s mom works for Backroads, the adventure touring company.

Bike weight: 16 kilograms (35.25 pounds).

Estimated value: $10,000

1. Frame.

“I ride a Specialized S-Works Demo 8—a 2016 model. I ride a medium frame but will be moving up to large next season. For every race I use 200 millimeters front and back. My bike has a carbon fiber front and rear triangle with an aluminum CNC link. I have had a custom paint job all year, as well as a custom link to make the bike more progressive.”

“I normally use a Specialized Butcher 2.5-inch with 1.8 bar [26 psi] in the back and 1.65 bar [24 psi] in the front. Depending on weather, I would also use 2.5-inch Specialized Hillbillies with the same pressures.

4. Tubeless system.

“I use a tubeless system with something special inside; I can’t say what it is.”

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